In 1997 we traveled to Africa and got vaccinated/inoculated against all of the same diseases before traveling, plus took an anti-malaria drug while in country. Same routine when we went to China and Vietnam in 2009. I think I’m good on tetanus for at least another 3 years – or maybe 23 years. At my age I may not live long enough – even for the 3 years.

I was in a bike accident in ’86 and was told I needed a tetanus shot; I’d had one in ’84 after getting out of the Army so I disagreed and got into a little argument with the ER nurse. Fine, she ended up saying and walked away. Then my thigh began to ache–sneaky, that one was.

I got another shot in ’13 after being assaulted; my glasses were broken and I was cut under one eye. The police practically twisted my arm to get me to go to the ER; I just wanted to clean up, pop some aspirin and go to bed, but they said it would help make their case. Fine, but I dreaded the tetanus shot. I shouldn’t have–that time I hardly noticed it.

I think what changed was the shot itself; still IM but a lighter mixture (?) and a smaller needle (did I mention I really, really HATE needles?)….

Of course, I get the flu shot nearly every year too. (Now that would be a controversial post!)

My aunt got tetanus either from cutting her toenails or pricking herself on a thorn bush. She had trouble swallowing and went to the doctor–he sent her right to the hospital where they put her into an induced coma for seven weeks. They give you curare to prevent your muscles from contracting till the disease runs its course and your body rids itself of the toxin. She was 78 at the time and lived to be 103.